TORONTO – The Tenors member Remigio Pereira is officially apologizing for altering the lyrics to O Canada before this week’s Major League Baseball all-star game.
WATCH: The Tenors strike a sour note over ‘All Lives Matter’ rendition of ‘O Canada’
While singing a solo verse of the anthem, he changed the lyrics “With glowing hearts we see thee rise, the True North strong and free,” to “We’re all brothers and sisters, all lives matter to the great.”
He also held up a sign bearing the message “all lives matter” on one side and “united we stand” on the other, while standing alongside his fellow Tenors on the field.
READ MORE: ‘Lone wolf’ tenor Remigio Pereira speaks out after ‘All Lives Matter’ anthem flap
In a video posted on his Facebook page on Friday, an emotional Pereira says he knows O Canada is revered, and he was not intending to disrespect the anthem, the people of Canada, or “the people who have fallen for this country to be free.”
He says those who were offended by his “all lives matter” message should know that he’s not a racist, noting that he grew up in a multicultural environment.
He also apologized directly to members of the Black Lives Matter movement who were offended by his actions.
READ MORE: Who is The Tenors’ Remigio Pereira who changed ‘O Canada’ lyrics to add ‘All Lives Matter’?
Social media lit up with widespread derision of Pereira’s unanticipated move, while the other three Tenor members distanced themselves from him, saying in a statement that he acted as a “lone wolf.”